Los Angeles: Private Surfing Lesson

The best thing about this Los Angeles surf lesson is the one-to-one coaching. Instead of trying to copy a group of strangers, you can learn at your own pace, with an instructor adjusting the lesson to your balance, confidence, and swimming ability. You may meet at Santa Monica, Venice, or Redondo/Torrance Beach, depending on the booking.

I like two things in particular: the gear is included, and the lesson works for both first-timers and intermediate surfers. The instructor covers the pop-up, ocean basics, and safety before taking you into the water, while the locked van gives you a practical place for your belongings.

The main consideration is the surf itself. Lessons can be rescheduled or canceled when weather or water conditions are poor, and basic swimming ability is required. This is also a two-hour lesson, not a full day of guided surfing, even though the booking is valid for one day.

Key Points

• Private instruction for one or two people: You get personal coaching instead of a large class.
• Three possible Los Angeles beach areas: The lesson may meet at Santa Monica, Venice, or Redondo/Torrance Beach.
• A proper beginner setup: An 8- or 9-foot surfboard and wetsuit are included.
• Safety comes before the water: You learn board handling, the pop-up, ocean basics, and key safety rules on the sand.
• Secure storage is provided: Belongings can stay in a locked surf school van during the lesson.
• Strong customer score: The activity holds a 4.8 rating from 75 bookings, with praise focused on clear instruction, motivation, and fun.

Starting at 20 Bicknell Avenue in Santa Monica

The stated meeting point is 20 Bicknell Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90401. Enter the parking lot and turn right. You are looking for a white Ford E-250 van or a blue surf school bus on the right side of the lot, where the instructor meets you.

That detail matters. Beach areas can be crowded, and a clear vehicle description is more useful than a vague instruction to meet near the sand. Put the address into your map before leaving, and allow time to locate the parking lot without rushing into your lesson.

The activity may also be arranged at Venice Beach or Redondo/Torrance Beach. Those areas give you a different feel for the Los Angeles coast. Venice is the most colorful choice, with its famous beachfront setting and eccentric local character. Santa Monica is a familiar starting point for many visitors, while Redondo and Torrance offer a different stretch of the South Bay.

Do not assume that you can simply arrive at any one of these beaches without checking the confirmed meeting details. The supplied meeting instructions point to Santa Monica, while the activity description lists several possible beach areas. Confirm the location and starting time when you book.

Getting Fitted With a Wetsuit and Board

Before you head toward the water, you receive a wetsuit and surfboard. The included boards are 8 and 9 feet long, a useful choice for learning because longer boards generally give beginners more room and stability than short performance boards.

You should bring swimwear to wear beneath the wetsuit. A towel, sunscreen, and water are also on the essential list. The Southern California sun can feel strong even when the air is comfortable, and time spent on the sand can leave you thirsty before you notice it.

The wetsuit is more than a clothing detail. It helps you stay comfortable in the water, which gives you more time to focus on standing, balancing, and listening to the instructor. If you are nervous about your first lesson, being properly fitted before you walk into the surf removes one small problem from the day.

There is no need to bring your own board. You also do not need to arrange a separate wetsuit rental. At $99 per person, the price covers the core equipment and private instruction, which makes the cost easier to judge than a lesson price that adds gear rental later.

The Sand Lesson: Pop-Up, Ocean Basics, and Safety

Your time on the sand depends on your ability. A complete beginner may receive an extended land lesson, while someone with more experience may move toward the water sooner.

The instructor teaches you how to pop up on the board, the basic movement that takes you from lying down to standing. This is often the part that looks easy from the beach and feels awkward the first few times. Private coaching helps because the instructor can watch your body position and offer immediate corrections.

You also learn about the ocean. The exact depth of this discussion depends on your level, but the lesson includes key information about how to approach the water and what to watch for. Safety is the final and most important part of the sand session before you enter the surf.

I appreciate that sequence. A rushed lesson can make a beginner feel as if the goal is simply to stand up once. Here, the beach instruction is meant to give you a basic understanding of the board, the water, and your own limits before the practical work begins.

For an intermediate surfer, the private format has a different value. You can spend less time on basic board handling and more time addressing the part of your surfing that needs work. The instructor can decide how much preparation is useful rather than making you repeat a fixed group-class routine.

Taking the Board Into the Water

After the sand lesson, you spend the rest of the class in the ocean with the instructor. Beginners may work on catching smaller waves and finding a stable stance, while intermediate surfers can receive more tailored help with their technique. The exact progression depends on your level and the conditions on the day.

You should not expect a guaranteed number of waves or a promise that you will stand every time. Surfing depends on timing, balance, water conditions, and your comfort level. The private lesson improves your access to instruction, but it cannot control the ocean or turn a first attempt into expert surfing in two hours.

That is not a reason to dismiss the activity. A good first lesson should give you a safe introduction, a feel for the board, and enough basic technique to know what to practice next. The strongest praise attached to this experience focuses on instructors teaching clearly, offering encouragement, and helping people stay motivated. One German-language response specifically praised the instructor for teaching, guiding, and encouraging the student throughout the class.

The water portion is also where the private format earns its keep. If you lose balance, hesitate, or need the pop-up explained again, you do not have to wait while an instructor rotates through a large group. If you already surf, you can ask for attention to a specific part of your technique.

Basic swimming ability is required. This is not a pool lesson, and you should be comfortable enough in the water to follow safety instructions and manage yourself with a board. Children under seven cannot participate.

Three Beaches, Three Different Los Angeles Moods

The location affects the character of the day. Venice Beach puts you near one of the most recognizable public shorelines in Los Angeles. After the lesson, you can spend time around the beachfront and observe the mix of street performers, fitness enthusiasts, artists, and unusual local personalities that gives Venice its reputation.

Santa Monica offers a classic Southern California setting. The meeting point at Bicknell Avenue puts the practical side of the lesson first: find the van or bus, get fitted out, and head toward the shore. It is a sensible choice if you are already exploring Santa Monica or want a familiar base for a beach day.

Redondo or Torrance Beach may suit you if your plans are centered in the South Bay. The supplied information does not promise a specific wave condition or exact beach section, so treat the location as part of the booking details rather than a fixed sightseeing route.

The lesson is not a sightseeing tour with several stops. Its focus is the water. Still, the beach choice can shape the rest of your day, so it is worth checking which location is available before you commit to a hotel, restaurant, or other activity nearby.

What the Two-Hour Schedule Really Means

The activity is advertised as a two-hour private lesson. That includes the preparation on land and the time in the ocean, followed by a rinse at an outdoor public shower.

The full process begins before the first wave. You need time to meet the instructor, collect your wetsuit and board, and prepare for the beach. The lesson then moves through instruction, safety, ocean practice, and a rinse afterward. Plan your day with some breathing room rather than booking a tightly timed activity immediately afterward.

The outdoor shower is basic but useful. You can rinse off salt water and sand before changing or continuing your day. It is not a full spa-style facility, so bring the towel and personal items you need after the lesson.

The booking is valid for one day, which refers to the date and available start times rather than a full day of surfing. Check availability for the starting time that fits your plans. The activity is offered with English- and Spanish-speaking instructors.

Private Value at $99 Per Person

At $99 per person, this lesson sits in a reasonable range for a private surf introduction because the price includes both the wetsuit and board. You are paying for two hours of instruction with a certified professional, not just access to equipment.

The best value comes when you want individual attention. A solo participant gets the most direct coaching, while two friends can share the experience and split the attention between them. A private lesson is also useful for a couple or small party with different confidence levels, since the pace can be adjusted instead of following a single group rhythm.

The price is less compelling if you only want to rent a board and experiment alone. In that case, you would be paying for instruction you may not use. It also may not suit someone who expects a long surf session with repeated coaching throughout the day. The advertised lesson lasts two hours.

The 4.8 rating from 75 bookings supports the idea that the teaching is a major strength. The short written feedback is brief, but it consistently points toward a smooth, enjoyable experience. One participant called it perfect, while another said the lesson was great fun and recommended the instruction after receiving steady guidance and encouragement.

Conditions, Cancellations, and What to Pack

Surfing is tied to the weather and water, so the activity may be rescheduled or canceled if conditions are unsuitable. You should be contacted the day before if that happens. Keep some flexibility in your Los Angeles schedule, especially if the surf lesson is one of the main reasons for visiting the coast.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if you are still arranging your plans. These policies are practical, but they do not remove the need to check the final time and location after booking.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Water

Your belongings can be stored in the locked surf school van, so you do not need to carry everything down to the beach. Still, I would bring only what you need. Secure storage is helpful, but it is not a reason to pack valuables or unnecessary electronics.

Who Will Enjoy This Lesson Most

This is a strong choice for a first-time surfer who wants a calm introduction rather than a crowded group class. The instructor can repeat the basics, adjust the pace, and help you handle the board before expecting you to work in the water.

It also suits an intermediate surfer who wants focused help. You can spend your lesson improving technique instead of sitting through a long introduction aimed at complete beginners.

A pair of friends can book together, and a solo participant can take the full private lesson alone. The experience is not suitable for children under seven, and everyone must have basic swimming ability.

I would be more cautious if you dislike changing plans around weather, are uncomfortable in the ocean, or want a full-day surf camp. This is a compact, practical introduction to surfing, not a promise of mastery.

Should You Book the Los Angeles Private Surf Lesson?

Book it if you want to try surfing with personal instruction, need the equipment supplied, and like the idea of choosing between a solo lesson and a lesson for two. The 8- or 9-foot board, wetsuit, safety briefing, secure storage, and outdoor rinse make the logistics simple.

I especially recommend it for a first visit to Los Angeles when you want an active beach experience instead of only looking at the Pacific from shore. Choose a time and beach that fit your plans, bring sunscreen and water, and leave room for a possible weather change.

Skip it if you are looking for a full day in the water or do not have basic swimming skills. For everyone else, $99 buys a focused two-hour lesson with a certified instructor and a fair chance to discover if surfing is for you.

FAQ

How long is the surf lesson?

The private surf lesson lasts two hours. It includes preparation on the sand, time in the ocean, and a rinse at an outdoor public shower afterward.

Where does the lesson meet?

The listed meeting point is 20 Bicknell Avenue in Santa Monica. Enter the parking lot, turn right, and look for a white Ford E-250 van or blue surf school bus on the right side. The activity may also meet at Venice Beach or Redondo/Torrance Beach.

Is surf equipment included?

Yes. The lesson includes an 8- or 9-foot surfboard and a wetsuit.

Can a beginner take part?

Yes. First-time surfers are welcome, and the instructor teaches the pop-up, ocean basics, and safety before taking you into the water. Basic swimming ability is required.

How many people can book the private lesson?

The lesson can be booked for one or two people. Private and small-group options are available.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water. Your belongings can be stored in a locked surf school van during the lesson.